Psalm 98:1-9 O sing to the LORD a new song; for he has done marvelous things: his right hand, and his holy arm, has gotten him the victory.… According to the language of the "royal singer," God's great cathedral of nature is full of magnificent harmonies. The heavens rejoice; the earth sings; the sea and the fulness thereof roar in deep-toned bass; the fields with all they contain, and the trees of the woodland with their ten thousand tongues, peal forth melodies. This chorus we have in creation; and the laziest in the song is man, who should be loudest, noblest, heartiest. Oh, it is time for us to be roused to duty by an inspired voice! We have been musicless too long, prosaic too long, dormant and mute too long, ungrateful and selfish too long. We want the summons to song, to action, to thankfulness. "O sing unto the Lord a new song," etc. And why a "new" song? Because new mercies, new deliverances, new gifts, new triumphs demand new songs. God's "marvellous things," or doings, are many and multiform. They are to be seen in creation, in providence, in redemption, in grace, in the world, in the Church, in nations, in families, in individuals. Everywhere in His theatre of action are His wonders manifest. It is impossible for us to be praiseless, if we only pause and recount our Father's gracious dealings, and manifold mercies, and wondrous goodness towards us. But interpreters of the Scripture refer this psalm to Jesus Christ. Its prophetic finger points to Him who was not only marvellous in doing, but likewise marvellous in person. From the manger to the ascension-mount, the cloud of mystery enveloped Him. At times He seemed near, intimately near as a brother-man — at other times distant, infinitely measured off as the awful and the "mighty God." Every privilege, every blessing, every gift, every enjoyment, every mercy crowded into our daily lives, flows to us through that Divinity which, blending with humanity, satisfied the claims of holiness, and instituted peace between heaven and earth, God and man. Have we, then, no song to sing unto Him who has done such "marvellous things"? Yes, thank Heaven, we have a song; and while the redeemed on high chant it, we join in the chorus, saying, "Worthy is the Lamb." Once more, not only are we called upon to break forth into joyful song because of the doings of "marvellous things," but also because of the achievement of splendid victory. "His right hand and holy arm hath gotten Him the victory." This unquestionably has specific reference to the sternest battle and grandest conquest ever fought and won on the world's great carnage-field. Through Christ's victory we shall be victorious. Our life in grace is a prolonged battle — a succession of engagements. We are on the winning side, and shall be "more than conquerors through Him that hath loved us." Awaiting us, in the not far-distant heaven, is the crown, the palm, the robe, the kingdom, and the welcome song! Let our onward march be brightened by the music of martial songs and celebrations of our Captain's praise, whose "right hand and holy arm" will assuredly secure for us the victory. (J. O. Keen, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: {A Psalm.} O sing unto the LORD a new song; for he hath done marvellous things: his right hand, and his holy arm, hath gotten him the victory. |
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